Gov. Stein warns looming Medicaid cuts could hurt patients, strain hospitals, urges lawmakers to act

Gov. Josh Stein on Thursday urged lawmakers to prevent looming cuts to the state’s Medicaid program, warning that the reductions could hurt residents and cripple already struggling hospitals and clinics.

Speaking at Alliance Medical Ministry in Raleigh, Stein highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that the state faces a $319 million shortfall. Reimbursement rates for doctors, hospitals, and clinics are currently set to […]
https://ncnewsline.com/2025/09/25/gov-josh-stein-warns-looming-medicaid-cuts-could-hurt-patients-and-strain-hospitals-urges-lawmakers-to-act/

Megaworld moves to jack up shares with P2-B buyback

MANILA, Philippines — Megaworld Corp. intends to buy back up to P2 billion worth of its shares in hopes of raising the value of its stock as it continues to pursue township expansion, its main income driver.

In a regulatory filing on Thursday, the developer led by billionaire Andrew Tan said its board of directors approved the move to repurchase shares, signaling confidence in the company’s growth prospects.

https://business.inquirer.net/549237/megaworld-moves-to-jack-up-shares-with-p2-b-buyback

Maharashtra News: CBI Initiates Probe Against Pune Firm For ₹16 Crore SBI Fraud

**CBI Initiates Probe Against Private Firm for Rs 16 Crore Fraud on State Bank of India**

*Mumbai:* The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched an investigation against a private firm for allegedly causing a loss of over Rs 16 crore to the State Bank of India (SBI).

**Complaint Filed by SBI**

According to the CBI, a complaint was received from Kumar Parimal Prem, Deputy General Manager of SBI’s Administrative Office in Pune. The complaint alleges that a Pune-based borrower company—a registered partnership firm engaged in real estate and construction activities—and its partners, in criminal conspiracy with unknown bank officials and other private individuals, cheated the bank to the tune of Rs 16.35 crores by fraudulently availing credit facilities.

**Modus Operandi**

The complaint reveals that between 2017 and 2023, the accused conspired to cheat SBI’s Small Industries Branch in Pune by availing loans through misrepresentation of data and fraudulent diversion of funds disbursed under credit facilities. These funds were sanctioned for the construction of residential apartments in Pune.

The borrower company and its partners submitted false financial statements, misrepresented their net worth and sources of margin money for the project, and provided bogus CA and engineer certificates to secure the disbursement of credit facilities, the CBI stated.

**Misappropriation of Funds**

The accused individuals allegedly diverted the disbursed funds for purposes other than those for which they were sanctioned. By doing so, they misappropriated the bank’s money, causing a wrongful loss amounting to Rs 16.35 crores to SBI while gaining illegally for themselves.

Furthermore, the partners defaulted on loan installments and interest payments. Consequently, the company’s loan account was classified as a Non-Performing Asset (NPA) on March 31, 2023. The account was further declared as fraudulent on February 28, 2024, a CBI official confirmed.

**FIR Registered**

Based on the SBI’s complaint, the CBI has registered a First Information Report (FIR) on charges of bank fraud under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-news-cbi-initiates-probe-against-pune-firm-for-16-crore-sbi-fraud

How to upgrade Keepsakes – Hades 2

Keepsakes are one of the many ways to improve your build in **Hades 2**, and all of them can be upgraded. Unlike other upgrades, you won’t be using materials to enhance your Keepsakes. Instead, upgrading them depends entirely on your ability to win encounters.

### How to Upgrade Keepsakes

To upgrade a Keepsake, you need to complete encounters with it equipped. Note that you don’t have to finish a full run—clearing just a single room while the Keepsake is equipped counts as one mark toward its next upgrade level.

You can check the current level of each Keepsake and the requirements for the next upgrade in the cabinet near Skelly, located before you head out into Erebus.

### Upgrade Requirements

The number of encounters required to upgrade a Keepsake increases with each level:

– First upgrade: 25 encounters
– Second upgrade: 50 encounters
– And so on, with the required number doubling or increasing accordingly.

After each attempt, return to the cabinet to see how many encounter clears you still need to reach the next upgrade.

### Immediate Upgrade Benefits

The best part is that upgrades take effect immediately—even if you’re mid-run. For example, if your Silver Wheel Keepsake upgrades to 2-star during a run, you’ll see the change reflected in the bottom-left corner of your HUD right away.

By consistently using and upgrading your Keepsakes, you can significantly boost your build and improve your chances of success in Hades 2.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146098/upgrade-keepsakes-hades-2

IDF evacuation of Gaza City reaches 700,000 civilians

**IDF Evacuation of Gaza City Reaches 700,000 Civilians**

The evacuation efforts led by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza City have reached approximately 700,000 civilians. Despite this significant movement, around 300,000 Palestinian civilians still remain in the area.

The general population continues to evacuate amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Many Palestinians are making their way out of the region to seek safety.

![Palestinians evacuating amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas travel on a vehicle in Khan Younis in the Southern Gaza Strip, May 6, 2024. (Photo Credit: Ramadan Abed/Reuters)](URL-to-image)

By Yonah Jeremy Bob
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-868625

How to upgrade Keepsakes – Hades 2

Keepsakes are one of the many ways to improve your build in *Hades 2*, and all of them can be upgraded. Unlike other upgrades, you won’t be using materials to enhance Keepsakes. Instead, upgrading Keepsakes depends entirely on your ability to win encounters while they are equipped.

### How to Upgrade Keepsakes

To upgrade a Keepsake, simply complete encounters with it equipped. It’s important to note that you don’t need to finish a full run—clearing just a single room counts as one completed encounter toward the Keepsake’s upgrade progress.

After clearing a room with the Keepsake equipped, that encounter will be marked toward its next upgrade level. You can track the current level and the number of encounters required for the next upgrade by checking the cabinet near Skelly before heading out into Erebus.

### Encounter Requirements and Upgrade Progress

The number of encounters needed to upgrade a Keepsake increases with each level. The progression goes as follows:

– 25 encounters for the first upgrade
– 50 encounters for the second upgrade
– And the requirement continues to rise for subsequent upgrades

After completing an attempt, you can check the cabinet again to see how many more encounter clears you need to reach the next upgrade level.

### Immediate Upgrade Benefits

The great news is that upgrades take effect immediately—even if you are in the middle of a run. For example, if your Silver Wheel Keepsake upgrades to 2-star during a run, you will see the upgraded status reflected instantly in the bottom-left of the HUD.

By consistently using and upgrading your Keepsakes, you can significantly enhance your abilities and strategies throughout your playtime in *Hades 2*.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146098/upgrade-keepsakes-hades-2

Converge prepaid service books 500,000 users

MANILA, Philippines — Converge ICT Solutions Inc. announced on Thursday that its prepaid internet service continues to gain momentum, now boasting about 500,000 active users just two years after its launch.

Dennis Anthony Uy, CEO and co-founder of Converge, highlighted the growing popularity of the company’s prepaid brand, Surf2Sawa (S2S). He stated that this trend demonstrates “the strong adoption” of the service among Filipinos, reflecting the increasing demand for flexible and affordable internet options in the country.
https://business.inquirer.net/549221/converge-prepaid-service-books-500000-users

What World Leaders Told Us About Trump, China and Climate Change

At the Climate Forward live event, we had the opportunity to speak with top policymakers about several pressing issues shaping our world today.

Our discussions covered China’s evolving role in global climate initiatives, providing insights into the country’s strategies and commitments.

We also explored the impact of the Trump administration on climate policy, analyzing how shifts in leadership have influenced environmental regulations and international cooperation.

Finally, we examined the rapid boom in artificial intelligence and its potential to drive innovation in climate solutions.

Stay tuned for more in-depth coverage and expert perspectives from this enlightening event.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/climate/climate-forward-event-recap.html

Israeli flag football teams kick off Euros

Israeli Flag Football Teams Kick Off Euros with Momentum and Drive

Israel enters the flag football European Championship tournament with strong momentum and determination. The men’s team is currently ranked eighth globally, while the women’s team holds the 17th spot in the world rankings.

The Israeli men got off to a hot start at the championship on Thursday, securing blowout victories over Slovakia and Sweden to open the tournament on a high note.

Photo credit: Giulio Busi/Courtesy

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-868622

Trump says he had good talks on Gaza, including with Netanyahu

**Trump Says He Had Good Talks on Gaza, Including with Netanyahu**

U.S. President Donald Trump reported progress in talks concerning Gaza, including discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 23, 2025, Trump highlighted positive developments in the ongoing efforts to address the situation in Gaza.

*Photo credit: REUTERS/JEENAH MOON*

By Reuters, Amichai Stein
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-868630